Dee Brown taken to hospital during Jazz’s comeback win against Warriors

By The Associated Press

Even shorthanded, the Utah Jazz outran the Golden State Warriors.

Derek Fisher missed most of the first three quarters because of a family illness, then scored all five of his points in overtime to lead Utah to a 127-117 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night and a 2-0 lead in the Western Conference semifinals.

The Jazz overcame the loss of rookie guard Dee Brown to a neck injury in the first quarter and had to rally to force the overtime after Golden State went on a 12-1 run late in the fourth quarter. Brown injured his neck when teammate Mehmet Okur landed on him in the first quarter.

He was taken to a hospital as a precaution. He had to be helped from the court and was taken to a hospital as a precaution. The team said neurological tests on Brown were normal.

The Warriors missed six free throws in the fourth quarter, three after taking the late lead.

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Carlos Boozer had 30 points and 13 rebounds for Utah, while Mehmet Okur added 23 points and 18 rebounds and Andrei Kirilenko had 20 points, nine rebounds and six blocks.

It was an emotional night for the Jazz. Fisher has been away from the team for two days as his daughter underwent cancer surgery in New York. The team left him on the active list, a move that became dicey when Brown went down with neck injury with five minutes left in the opening quarter.

“It’s been unbelievable,” Fisher said. “My daughter’s doing very well. She had a successful operation today in New York. I got off the plane and got into the game. I’m speechless.

“My loyalty is always with family and faith first. I had to get permission from my wife to get here. My coach and teammates welcomed me with open arms. They kept me on the active list. They didn’t have to do that.”

Baron Davis had 36 points and seven assists for Golden State.

The Jazz, who won the series opener 116-112, again had to play at the Warriors’ pace.

Game 3 is Friday night at Golden State.

Deron Williams had 14 assists and 17 points, hitting a crucial 3-pointer as Utah opened the overtime with a 7-2 run.

Jason Richardson scored 27 points and Stephen Jackson had eight for Golden State, which scored only four points in the extra five minutes.

The Warriors forced 23 turnovers, but were once again badly outrebounded, 60-32.

Utah had an 8-2 rebounding advantage in overtime, which Boozer opened with a layup and Williams hit his big 3 after stealing the ball from Matt Barnes. Williams took a no-look pass from Kirilenko and hit a 3-pointer that put Utah up 118-113.

The 6-foot Brown attempted to take a charge from Barnes and the 6-foot-11 Okur landed on him in the lane. He had to be helped from the court and was taken to a hospital as a precaution. The team said neurological tests on Brown were normal.

Until Fisher arrived at the arena, Utah had just 10 available players. Two of them were centers Rafael Araujo and Jarron Collins, who never left the bench.

Williams got two fouls in a one-minute span the opening quarter and the Jazz were really hamstrung for a lineup to run with the Warriors.

Utah managed and led by as many as 12 points before the Warriors struck quickly and took over the lead late in the fourth quarter by holding the Jazz without a field goal for 4:17.

The Warriors had a chance to seal it, but Mickael Pietrus missed two free throws and Okur hit a shot from the corner with 9.8 seconds left to make it 112-111. Fans thought Okur had hit a 3-pointer to tie it, but replays showed his toes were on the line when he took the shot.

Davis got Fisher to foul him, but also missed a chance to put away the Jazz. He made his first free throw, but missed the second and Boozer grabbed the rebound with 5.8 seconds left. Utah called a timeout and Williams got open for a jumper in the lane that tied it with 2.8 seconds left.

Davis got the last shot, but his 25-footer bounced off the front of the rim at the end of regulation.